The Shawnee Drive-in Theatre was built by Dickinson Theatres in 1948, Dickinson’s 4th drive-in. The screen was of concrete construction. The lot held around 400 cars & had a playground below the screen. The marquee was turquoise. Played a lot of Disney & Westerns.
It was located on Shawnee Mission Parkway between Quivira & Pflumn (The Southwest Corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Long). The Shawnee was demolished in the 1970’s. This area is now a Bayer Drugs Facility. The zipcode above is incorrect, the correct address is: 12505 W. 63rd, Shawnee, KS 66216.
Unfortunately on those you added, I didn’t have a lot. I added what little info I had to a few of them. I always have an eye out for more info on KC theatres & when I find it, I’ll be sure to add it.
I have an early hand-tinted postcard of this theatre. It is of Main Street South from 9th Street. Though not postmarked it seems to be from the early 1920’s judging from the cars & horse drawn carriage. The signs for the Palace stretch all the way down a long brick 6 story building. The upper windows are arched & there are several businesses (including a bowling alley, dentist & shoe store) across the street. When the add photo feature returns I would be glad to share this image. The signs are not too legible but the main theatre marquee looks like it says “Roerbach & Goettel”? Another looks like it says something about the “cleverest beast”.
The Chelsea, also known as the Old Chelsea Theatre & Chelsea Quay, operated as an adult movie & strip-club from June 1972 to July 2000 . Seated approximately 200 with 1 screen. I don’t have info as to its days as a legitimate, first or second run theatre. In August of 2000 it was renovated and re-opened by a Live Comedy Troupe “Late Night Theatre” but that was very short lived & the theatre was torn down in the summer of 2001 fpr planned developments.
A friend who attended a few of the plays in 2000-2001 told me how amused she was with the wallpaper in the women’s restroom, it was metallic gold with brown velvet-like flocking in the shape of people in “positions”. The lobby still had the 70’s look with shag carpet & velvet wallpaper.
The site is now slated for development of a $40 Million 6-story office/residential tower.
There was also an earlier Chelsea theatre at 1228 Broadway in Downtown.
What a waste with what they are doing in the “arts center gets makeover” link? I am all for recycling but how about re-use, the article even calls them “historic seats”.
I love the Boller Brothers' Atmospherics- Much more subdued than an Eberson & I’d go out on a limb to say a little more realistic. Other Spanish/Moorish style Boller Brother’s Atmospherics from the same era are the Granada in Kansas City, KS. The Crown-Uptown in Wichita, KS & the Poncan in Ponca City, OK. All of these still stand & sound quite similar to the Granada in Plainview, TX.
There are a lot of pictures of the art deco details & some vintage pictures of this theatre on the homepage… it is a little easier than said above, just click on the broken link “X” and they will open in the same window.
According to a March 10, 2005 Kansas City Star article this theatre is scheduled to open in late summer or early fall.
The article’s main subject was two other theatres owned by the fine arts group; Rio (Overland Park, KS) and Granada (Kansas City, KS) which were added to the National Register of Historic Places in February 2005.
According to a March 10, 2005 article in the Kansas City Star, this theatre was just added to the National Register of Historic Places in February of this year. Also added was the Granada in Kansas City, KS another Boller Brothers & Fine Arts Group Theatre.
Congrats to the Fine Arts Group for a job well done!!!
According to a KC Star Article from March 10, 2005; the Granada was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in February of 2005.
The article also mentions that in 1994 the theatre served as a set for the Robert Altman movie “Kansas City.”
The two storefronts have been leased & the owners reportedly hope to offer a combination of live theatre, silent films & perhaps some Spanish language programming.
The site is currently a grocery store parking lot.
This may have been a remodel or built on the same site as another Boller Brothers Design. One Boller list shows a “Jayhawk (Art) Theatre” designed 1919, opening in 1920. The Art Theatre was located at 1808 Central Avenue and seated 1100.
Hi dterry, I have a vintage black & white photo postcard with interior & exterior views of this theatre. Send your email or post it here and I will send you a scan of it.
This theatre in Northwestern KS was originally the Winship Opera House. It was remodelled by the Boller Brothers Firm of Kansas City, MO in 1924 as the Majestic Theatre. It is one of the oldest buildings on the Phillipsburg town square.
The Poncan is an Atmospheric style theatre. The auditorium was designed to give the audience the feeling of sitting in a Spanish/Moorish open air courtyard complete with moving clouds & twinkling stars over-head.
The Boller Brothers used similar plans for the Uptown in Wichita, KS and The Granada in Kansas City, KS among others.
The Poncan was the grandest of five theatres in town. It opened on September 20, 1927 for both vaudeville & silent films. Designed by the Boller Brothers, of Kansas City.
Ironically, just 15 days after the Poncan opened, Al Jolson made film history with the first talkie, “The Jazz Singer.” Soon talkies were the rage, and silent film became a memory. The Poncan was quickly converted to sound, and she continued showing both talkies and the best of vaudeville.
In the 1940’s, the Poncan turned exclusively to film. In the 1950’s, the theatre was redecorated and revitalized. The Poncan closed its doors on October 11, 1985. One month later it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In July 1989 a group was formed to bring the Poncan back to her 1927 glory.
Extensive remodeling in the 1950’s had covered up many beautiful ornaments, but left them in original condition. During the restoration laborers found a magnificent set of stained glass light fixtures that had been missing since the 1950’s. They also discovered an original hand-painted fire curtain that no one had seen for decades. The marquee was reworked to the original size and shape, with molded elements that were authentic to period.
A celebration of completed restoration was held on September 17, 1994.
The Shawnee Drive-in Theatre was built by Dickinson Theatres in 1948, Dickinson’s 4th drive-in. The screen was of concrete construction. The lot held around 400 cars & had a playground below the screen. The marquee was turquoise. Played a lot of Disney & Westerns.
It was located on Shawnee Mission Parkway between Quivira & Pflumn (The Southwest Corner of Shawnee Mission Parkway and Long). The Shawnee was demolished in the 1970’s. This area is now a Bayer Drugs Facility. The zipcode above is incorrect, the correct address is: 12505 W. 63rd, Shawnee, KS 66216.
More pictures & info at:
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/kstshaw
View link
Unfortunately on those you added, I didn’t have a lot. I added what little info I had to a few of them. I always have an eye out for more info on KC theatres & when I find it, I’ll be sure to add it.
I have an early hand-tinted postcard of this theatre. It is of Main Street South from 9th Street. Though not postmarked it seems to be from the early 1920’s judging from the cars & horse drawn carriage. The signs for the Palace stretch all the way down a long brick 6 story building. The upper windows are arched & there are several businesses (including a bowling alley, dentist & shoe store) across the street. When the add photo feature returns I would be glad to share this image. The signs are not too legible but the main theatre marquee looks like it says “Roerbach & Goettel”? Another looks like it says something about the “cleverest beast”.
Fire destroyed the interior in 1967.
The Paseo was also known as the Marlborough.
The Chelsea, also known as the Old Chelsea Theatre & Chelsea Quay, operated as an adult movie & strip-club from June 1972 to July 2000 . Seated approximately 200 with 1 screen. I don’t have info as to its days as a legitimate, first or second run theatre. In August of 2000 it was renovated and re-opened by a Live Comedy Troupe “Late Night Theatre” but that was very short lived & the theatre was torn down in the summer of 2001 fpr planned developments.
A friend who attended a few of the plays in 2000-2001 told me how amused she was with the wallpaper in the women’s restroom, it was metallic gold with brown velvet-like flocking in the shape of people in “positions”. The lobby still had the 70’s look with shag carpet & velvet wallpaper.
The site is now slated for development of a $40 Million 6-story office/residential tower.
There was also an earlier Chelsea theatre at 1228 Broadway in Downtown.
You can vaguely see this on the rooftop on this satellite image from googls maps:
View link
What a great joke!
Kudos to NKC for taking on this project!
What a waste with what they are doing in the “arts center gets makeover” link? I am all for recycling but how about re-use, the article even calls them “historic seats”.
I love the Boller Brothers' Atmospherics- Much more subdued than an Eberson & I’d go out on a limb to say a little more realistic. Other Spanish/Moorish style Boller Brother’s Atmospherics from the same era are the Granada in Kansas City, KS. The Crown-Uptown in Wichita, KS & the Poncan in Ponca City, OK. All of these still stand & sound quite similar to the Granada in Plainview, TX.
There are a lot of pictures of the art deco details & some vintage pictures of this theatre on the homepage… it is a little easier than said above, just click on the broken link “X” and they will open in the same window.
According to a March 10, 2005 Kansas City Star article this theatre is scheduled to open in late summer or early fall.
The article’s main subject was two other theatres owned by the fine arts group; Rio (Overland Park, KS) and Granada (Kansas City, KS) which were added to the National Register of Historic Places in February 2005.
According to a March 10, 2005 article in the Kansas City Star, this theatre was just added to the National Register of Historic Places in February of this year. Also added was the Granada in Kansas City, KS another Boller Brothers & Fine Arts Group Theatre.
Congrats to the Fine Arts Group for a job well done!!!
According to a KC Star Article from March 10, 2005; the Granada was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in February of 2005.
The article also mentions that in 1994 the theatre served as a set for the Robert Altman movie “Kansas City.”
The two storefronts have been leased & the owners reportedly hope to offer a combination of live theatre, silent films & perhaps some Spanish language programming.
The site is currently a grocery store parking lot.
This may have been a remodel or built on the same site as another Boller Brothers Design. One Boller list shows a “Jayhawk (Art) Theatre” designed 1919, opening in 1920. The Art Theatre was located at 1808 Central Avenue and seated 1100.
This theatre originally seated 920. According to the Boller Brothers Record of work this theatre is attributed to the Los Angeles office.
For showtimes at Dickinson’s official site:
http://www.dtmovies.com/showtimes.aspx?tid=134
Anyone know at what point this was twinned? I doubt it was always a twin but I guess that’s possible.
Hi dterry, I have a vintage black & white photo postcard with interior & exterior views of this theatre. Send your email or post it here and I will send you a scan of it.
Here is a link to a 1998 article about the restoration of this theatre:
View link
Here is a link to a picture of this theatre:
View link
Under Norton, KS click on the “P” next to Norton Theatre
Also see:
View link
This theatre in Northwestern KS was originally the Winship Opera House. It was remodelled by the Boller Brothers Firm of Kansas City, MO in 1924 as the Majestic Theatre. It is one of the oldest buildings on the Phillipsburg town square.
The Poncan is an Atmospheric style theatre. The auditorium was designed to give the audience the feeling of sitting in a Spanish/Moorish open air courtyard complete with moving clouds & twinkling stars over-head.
The Boller Brothers used similar plans for the Uptown in Wichita, KS and The Granada in Kansas City, KS among others.
Here is a link to an interior & exterior photo & a brief history:
http://www.poncacity.com/attractions/poncan.htm
Here is their official page:
http://www.poncantheatre.org/homepage.htm
The Poncan was the grandest of five theatres in town. It opened on September 20, 1927 for both vaudeville & silent films. Designed by the Boller Brothers, of Kansas City.
Ironically, just 15 days after the Poncan opened, Al Jolson made film history with the first talkie, “The Jazz Singer.” Soon talkies were the rage, and silent film became a memory. The Poncan was quickly converted to sound, and she continued showing both talkies and the best of vaudeville.
In the 1940’s, the Poncan turned exclusively to film. In the 1950’s, the theatre was redecorated and revitalized. The Poncan closed its doors on October 11, 1985. One month later it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In July 1989 a group was formed to bring the Poncan back to her 1927 glory.
Extensive remodeling in the 1950’s had covered up many beautiful ornaments, but left them in original condition. During the restoration laborers found a magnificent set of stained glass light fixtures that had been missing since the 1950’s. They also discovered an original hand-painted fire curtain that no one had seen for decades. The marquee was reworked to the original size and shape, with molded elements that were authentic to period.
A celebration of completed restoration was held on September 17, 1994.
Here is a link to a photo of the Royal Theatre from 1928:
View link
Here is a link to several more interior & exterior pictures of the Pantages/Tower:
View link